A macroeconomic regression analysis of the European construction industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the international construction sector from a macroeconomic point of view through production functions. The aim is to contribute additional knowledge on the European construction sector, highlighting differences in the industry among European countries Design/methodology/approach – In order to analyse the sector panel, data from 1996-2005 for nine European countries were used. Raw data were obtained from Eurostat (Bach Project). Variables for the production functions were chosen after a correlation analysis. Annual turnover was taken as the dependent variable, whereas total assets and personnel costs were the independent variables. The econometric regression models considered were linear (bivariate and multivariate) and logarithmic (Cobb-Douglas). Findings – In spite of the limitations stated, there are some factors that can explain the results obtained, such as the diverse preponderance of small and medium enterprises and the different roles played by informal economy, migration and subcontracting in each of the countries. Research limitations/implications – Data collected by Eurostat are provided by the enterprises voluntarily. This implies a bias in the representativeness of the data. Thus, the discrepancies and inconsistencies in the results obtained are a direct consequence of the data limitations. Furthermore, the regression models obtained should be tested using future data to predict the behaviour of the construction industry in each one of the countries. Originality/value – The use of production functions in the construction industry is a novel approach that should be further developed to gather more precise information on the behaviour of the sector.Pellicer Armiñana, TM.; Pellicer Armiñana, E.; Eaton, D. (2009). 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"Design for All” in Architectural Heritage conservation: the technology challenge

[EN] Among the United Nations 2030 objectives for the sustainable development, stand out those who seek social, economic and cultural equality of people, within the framework of different human settlements, their cultural heritage and the natural environment. This idea raises the need to establish effective strategies, resources and tools aimed to balance the current conditions in most disadvantaged groups, such as people with disabilities. The situation is complicated because the barriers to integration and inclusivity are diverse, the initiatives, legislation and ways of acting are also very different. Therefore, overcoming the situation requires a broad multidisciplinary approach. On the other hand, Heritage resources can be a valuable mean for permanent and sustainable development, if there is a proper combination of different aspects: design, management and maintenance, continuous improvement and dissemination with inclusive criteria. One of the possibilities to afford that difficult task is to promote in the field of university education different activities such as information exchange, cross-cutting networks, research studies, experimental ICT tools development and adequate dissemination. This proposal is structured in this sense to arouse the interest and participation of teachers, students and researchers in these actions, establishing collaborative projects and work proposals.López Mateu, V.; Pellicer Armiñana, TM. (2019). "Design for All” in Architectural Heritage conservation: the technology challenge. En Proceedings 5th CARPE Conference: Horizon Europe and beyond. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 73-77. https://doi.org/10.4995/CARPE2019.2019.10565OCS737

“What you say has a lot of sense”: knowledge and skills integration in architectural technical project

[EN] The methodologies in project development have evolved significantly in recent years due to significant changes in organization, requirements and new technological resources. This situation should lead us to rethink the learning and teaching process in this area. Previous methodologies, based on the dilemma between general, conceptual, or creative issues, versus particular, technical, or material matters, and the complex combination between both areas, are increasingly overcome due to their interdependence. Transferring this situation to the discipline of Architecture and, in particular, to the final academic studies period, we find some teaching experiences seek to unify these issues, such as the one here presented, bringing them closer to the current professional and social reality. In this sense, the approach developed in the Master of Architecture of the ETSAV is explained. The students, about to conclude their training, face a Project that simulates a professional job, in which they integrate the previous learning of the Degree. Thus, the subject “Construction Project” focuses on developing an academic work with the creative, technical, formal and administrative requirements of a “real project”, planning, teamwork and unification of previous knowledge being essential. In a certain way and in itself, the exposed approach is an educational innovation in the field of architecture concerning previous strategies and study plans. In academic work and its traditional activities, the connection has been weak or punctual between technical subjects and their application in a professional project.[ES] La metodología de desarrollo de Proyectos ha evolucionado notablemente en los últimos años por los grandes cambios en organización, requisitos e introducción de recursos tecnológicos, lo cual debe llevar a replantear el aprendizaje y la docencia en este ámbito. Las metodologías previas, basadas en la disyuntiva entre las cuestiones generales, conceptuales, o creativas, frente a cuestiones particulares, técnicas o materiales, y la difícil combinación entre ambos ámbitos, cada día está más superada por su interdependencia. Trasladando esta situación a la disciplina de la Arquitectura y en particular al periodo final de estudios académicos, encontramos algunas experiencias docentes como la que se expone, que procuran unificar estas cuestiones, acercándolas a la realidad profesional y social actual. En este sentido, se presenta el planteamiento desarrollado en el Máster de Arquitectura de la ETSAV, donde los estudiantes, a punto de concluir su formación, se enfrentan a un Proyecto que simula un trabajo profesional, en el que integran los aprendizajes anteriores del Grado. Así, la asignatura “Proyecto Constructivo, se centra en desarrollar un trabajo académico con los requisitos creativos, técnicos, formales y administrativos de un “proyecto real”, resultando imprescindible la planificación, trabajo en equipo y unificación de conocimientos previos. El planteamiento expuesto, en cierto modo y en sí mismo, es una innovación educativa en el ámbito de la arquitectura respecto a planteamientos y planes de estudios previos. En los trabajos académicos y sus actividades tradicionales, ha sido débil o puntual la conexión entre asignaturas técnicas y su aplicación en un proyecto profesional.López Mateu, V.; Pellicer Armiñana, TM. (2022). “Eso que dices tiene mucho sentido”: integración de conocimientos y habilidades en torno al proyecto profesional en arquitectura. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1163-1178. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2022.2022.159191163117

The academic debate and the soft skills development

[EN] This paper presents the academic debate as a technique for the development of soft skills in subjects that develop the project-based learning methodology. Specifically, it focuses on the work developed in the subject “Maintenance and conservation of structures” of the University Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering. Likewise, it shows its evolution and adaptation to the different circumstances that have occurred in recent years and its application to other subjects of different master's degrees in the context of an Educational Innovation and Improvement Project of the Universitat Politècnica de València.[ES] Este artículo presenta el debate académico como técnica para el desarrollo de competencias transversales en asignaturas que desarrollan la metodología de aprendizaje basado en proyectos. Concretamente, se centra en el trabajo desarrollado en la asignatura “Mantenimiento y conservación de estructuras” del Máster Universitario en Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Asimismo, muestra su evolución y adaptación a las distintas circunstancias sobrevenidas en los últimos años y su aplicación a otras asignaturas de distintos másteres en el contexto de un Proyecto de Innovación y Mejora Educativa de la Universitat Politècnica de València.Pellicer Armiñana, TM.; López Mateu, V.; Orozco Messana, J.; Giménez Carbó, E. (2022). El debate académico para el desarrollo de competencias transversales. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1193-1208. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2022.2022.159211193120

La gestión en las empresas constructuras: Análisis, diseño y desarrollo de un modelo de control

El sector de la construcción es complejo y presenta una serie de particularidades específicas que condicionan la existencia, estructura y funcionamiento de las empresas constructoras que operan en este mercado. Por otra parte, existe una gran preocupación en la Unión Europea por mejorar y armonizar la información encaminada a realizar una mejor gestión empresarial; incluyendo, por supuesto, a las empresas constructoras. Dentro de este marco global, la presente tesis tiene por objeto la gestión de las empresas constructoras y su control. Concretamente, se delimitan aspectos conceptuales y metodológicos, se recapitula la teoría sobre las materias que inciden en el proceso investigador; se analiza la situación actual del sector de la construcción en España, Europa, EE.UU. y Japón y, también, se estiman las funciones de producción de las empresas constructoras, por tamaños y por países, individual y sectorialmente. La tesis plantea el control de gestión de las empresas constructoras con una perspectiva multidimensional y multifuncional, que supera las limitaciones actuales de la contabilidad financiera, analítica y presupuestaria, tanto a nivel de actividad como de trabajador, producto, área y empresa. El control de gestión contempla, no sólo la construcción de la obra y de la empresa, sino también la promoción de viviendas, los presupuestos y la gestión comercial. Se diseña, desarrolla y experimenta en varias empresas, un modelo de control de gestión integrado, fundamentado en un sistema gestor de bases de datos y en una aplicación informática; el planteamiento del modelo propuesto es multiusuario, operativo en tiempo real y acceso remoto, y escalable para poder adaptarse a cualquier situación y cualquier empresa.Pellicer Armiñana, TM. (2003). La gestión en las empresas constructuras: Análisis, diseño y desarrollo de un modelo de control [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/2903Palanci